Having split "the big-6" into 2 parts (North and South), I'm now going to review the "chasing pack".
The chasing pack are teams that I believe have genuine European aspirations or teams that have been in the top half of the Premier League for some time. i.e. the teams that you wouldn't expect to find in the bottom half or a relegation battle (I'll cover them in 2 more posts on the subject). So the teams I'll be reviewing today are Leicester, West Ham, Everton and Wolves. I'm conscious that Leeds and Aston Villa finished in the top half but having only been promoted and narrowly missing out on relegation last season, I don't believe they are realistically challenging for Europe just yet.
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Leicester City (5th)
Going into the season, would Leicester have been happy with 5th place for the 2nd season in a row? Consolidating themselves within the top 6 and another season of European football? Perhaps. But then you look at this...
And it becomes painful for Leicester fans. They missed out on Champions League football narrowly last season after winning just 1 of their final 5 matches and this season, it was the same again (1 win in 5) to miss out by just 1 point (and 4 goals).
This makes Leicester's Premier League season difficult to assess. They've qualified for Europe for the 2nd season in a row, the 1st time they've done this in their history (source) so a decent outcome but they'll be wondering what could, and probably should have been.
Verdict: Reasonably Successful but would have liked to have finished stronger and taken a Champions League spot
West Ham United (6th)
The last time West Ham finished in the top 6, Frank Lampard made the most appearances for the club and Ian Wright was their top scorer (1998/99) (source).
West Ham flirted and were within the fight for a Champions League spot but didn't show the consistency needed and deservedly missed out.
In Michail Antonio, they have a right handful and Benrahma, Bowen, Fornals and Lingard have the creative flair to provide decent service, as well as full backs Coufal and Cresswell's crosses. The signing of Lingard on loan was a catalyst to push them up the table and they'll be hoping that they can sign him permanently from Man Utd.
They'll certainly be happy with European football and despite the players I mention above, they'll do well to repeat this next season and with the ever increasing expectations, could put some pressure on David Moyes.
Verdict: Successful
Everton (10th)
Having set the early pace at the top of the table, injuries to James Rodriguez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin highlighted a significant lack of depth and a fall down the table. Jordan Pickford is perhaps the most arrogant goalkeeper of his generation and his poor season was certainly a factor in Everton falling away.
When everybody is fit and firing, Everton have a decent team. Allan and Gomes sitting deep, allowing Rodriguez, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin to link up - which they did so well at the beginning of the season. These 3 are all such different players that it gave Everton the variety and options required to break down opponents.
Their defence, although slightly improved towards the end of the season (ignoring the 5 conceded against Man City) has been unpredictable and an area that I expect Ancelotti to try to improve over the summer.
Verdict: Disappointed
Wolves (13th)
Raul Jimenez.
I could leave it there but that would be lazy.
After the Arsenal game in which Jimenez fractured his skull, Wolves sat 7th in the table and another fight for European football was on the cards. Their defence is notoriously difficult to break down and the question was often what they could do in attack. With Jimenez injured, the answer was very little.
They needed 18 year old Fabio Silva to lead the line but he's clearly not ready yet. You can see some talent there but he looks like a young boy up against proper defenders. They signed Willian José on loan who looked (on paper) like the right kind of player but it never really clicked for him either which left Wolves really struggling for goals. I've mentioned a lack of depth a few times when writing my season review and this hurt Wolves more than any other.
Verdict: Disappointed
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